Daniel Callihan has been charged with murder in connection with the killings of Callie Brunett, 35, and her 4-year-old daughter Erin
GoFundMe; WSU/YouTube
Callie Brunett and Erin Brunett (left), and Daniel Callihan
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Callie Brunett, 35, was found dead in Loranger, La., and at the time her daughters, 4 and 6, were missing
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Authorities subsequently issued an Amber Alert for the girls
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Her 4-year-old daughter Erin was found dead in the woods in Mississippi, where Daniel Callihan was arrested on murder and sex charges, authorities say
A man arrested in connection with the deaths of a four-year-old girl and her mother appeared to tell reporters that he killed the child and that he was “sober” when he allegedly did so.
Callie Brunett, 35, and her daughter Erin were found dead earlier this month in Louisiana and Mississippi, respectively, state authorities said at the time.
Daniel Callihan, 36, was arrested June 13 in Mississippi in connection with the alleged “brutal and heinous acts of violence,” the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office said after the arrest.
While being escorted by officers in handcuffs, Callihan was seen in a video telling reporters that he had killed the girl.
Related: ‘Animal Cages’ Found Near Slain Girl, 4, And Sister, As Chief Says May Be Human Trafficking
Callie Brunett/Facebook
Erin Brunett (left) and Callie Brunett
When asked if he killed Erin, he says that he did so ‘unfortunately’, without ‘drugs in it [his] system,” according to a news clip from local Louisiana outlet WDSU News.
When asked about his alleged motive, he lowers his head slightly, closes his eyes and says, “I have no reason for what I did.” All I’m saying is I was sober.”
“I’m on suicide watch, but I’m not suicidal,” he says shortly afterwards.
When asked if he killed Erin’s mother, he appears confused and repeats, “Mom?”
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office
Daniel Callihan was arrested in connection with the murders of Callie Brunett and her daughter Erin
Related: Kidnapped girl, 4, found dead in woods next to injured sister, 6, after man arrested in death of their mother
Callihan’s arrest followed the issuance of an Amber Alert for Erin and her sister earlier on June 13, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said at the time.
The alert was sent after police found Callie dead in her home in Loranger, La., where the two girls were missing, Tangipahoa County Sheriff’s Office Chief Jimmy Travis said, according to CNN.
Callihan was found in Jackson, Miss., about a two-hour drive from Tangipahoa Parish, and taken into custody, Wade said.
Authorities searching the area found Erin’s remains at what Wade described as a “very traumatic” “tragic” crime scene.
Erin’s 6-year-old sister was also located and taken to the hospital.
Wade said on June 17 that police have not found any evidence of a shooting at the location and that he “assumes” Erin was likely strangled.
There was evidence of “human trafficking” — including “small wiring enclosures” — where the children were found, Wade said.
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Victoria Cox was arrested along with Callihan on charges of capital murder and sexual battery in the children’s cases, WDSU and FOX 8 Live reported, citing authorities.
On June 20, a grand jury indicted Callihan and Cox on charges of murder and kidnapping, WDSU, FOX 8 Live and 4 WWL reported. Cox was charged with an additional charge of accessory after the fact after the murder.
Plea and attorney information was not available for Callihan or Cox as of Monday.
In a GoFundMe set up by her family, Erin is remembered as a “little fireball” who was full of life. Callie and her daughters were “a few peas in a pod,” the fundraiser says.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the crisis text line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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